Planning outings with your RV on a sunny day is fun. Enjoying fresh air at a camping site sends in a sense of relaxation until the scorching heat of the sun starts dominating your experience. In these conditions, air conditioning changes from luxury to necessity. Plugin in your air conditioner to the electrical hookup seems to be the best option. When there is no electrical hookup available at the camping site, a generator easily becomes a convenient option.
Generators are necessary since they provide electricity to the air conditioner and other appliances of an RV. Buying a generator is not a tough task if certain factors are taken into consideration. To help you buy one, we have listed a few important factors that will surely help you choose the right generator for your RV’s air conditioner.
- Wattage: The wattage of a generator simply means the amount of continuous power a generator can supply. This ensures the continuous running of the connected appliances. The wattage is similar to the surge/output wattage with only one key difference
- Output Wattage: Output wattage is the maximum power level of a generator that it is capable of supplying. An air conditioner needs a higher starting wattage compared to a running wattage. Although this output wattage is higher than the wattage, it is available for only a short period.
- Fuel Consumption: A generator runs on fuel. It might be gasoline or gas. What matters the most is the amount of runtime a generator can provide till the next refueling. This determines whether a generator is fuel efficient or just thirsty for fuel.
Buying a generator won’t be hard considering these factors. To help you select the best one, we have listed some generators along with the specification and Buying Guide. This will ease your confusion in selecting a generator to handle your air conditioner and air conditioning needs.
Best Generator for RV Air Conditioner 2023
| Best Generator for RV Air Conditioner | Wattage | Voltage | Output Wattage | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DuroMax Dual Fuel Portable Generator | 3500 watts | 120 Volts | 4400 Watts | Check On Amazon |
| Westinghouse Backup Portable Generator | 6000 watts | 120 Volts | 7500 Watts | Check On Amazon |
| Champion Power Equipment Open Frame Inverter | 4000 watts | 120 Volts | 4000 Watts | Check On Amazon |
| Generac 7127 Portable Inverter Generator | 3500 watts | 120 Volts | 3500 Watts | Check On Amazon |
| WEN Portable Generator | 3750 watts | --- | 4750 Watts | Check On Amazon |
| Honda Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator | 2200 watts | 120 Volts | 2200 Watts | Check On Amazon |
Best Generator for RV Air Conditioner Reviews
1. DuroMax XP4400EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator
DuroMax is one of the most popular brands in portable generators for RV air containers.DuroMax introduced yet another generator that follows its motto of quality and reliable products.
DuroMax XP4400EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator is a user-friendly generator that comes with 4400 Watts of output wattage. This handles the starting high wattage an air conditioner needs. 3500 Watts of wattage ensures the running of the air conditioner and other appliances with constant power.
When it comes to fuel, the DuroMax XP4400EH generator supports gasoline as well as propane giving freedom to use any fuel. It also has an electrical outlet which operates on 120 as well as 240 Volts, which can be used as per your convenience. The output frequency matches the standard 60 Hz of the air conditioner.
Best Features:
- Running wattage of 3500 Watts
- Output wattage of 4400 Watts
- Powerful 210cc OHV engine
- Output frequency of 60 Hz
- Two 120V 20A outlets and one 120/240V 30A switchable outlet
- All-metal body structure.
Pros:
- Dual fuel support gives a variety of fuels to choose from
- 30-Days replacement warranty with a 1-year parts warranty
Cons:
- No remote connectivity
2. Westinghouse WGen6000 Home Backup Portable Generator
Westinghouse is one of the oldest organizations in the power generation sector. With over 130+ years of experience in this field, they developed several class-leading portable generators for RV air conditioners. Our next product is one of such offerings from Westinghouse.
With the launch of the Westinghouse WGen6000 Portable Generator, Westinghouse poured their experience into this product. With the best in category output wattage of 7000 Watts, this generator instantly becomes a favorite choice for RV air conditioners. Such a high output wattage handles a surge in wattage when starting the air conditioner.
Running wattage of 6000 Watts ensures continuous power delivery to the air conditioner and yet a big chunk of power will be available for other appliances. The 420cc 4-stroke OHV engine is a powerful engine with features like automatic oil shut down when the oil level gets low. The digital hour meter displays the necessary details like the runtime hours, voltage, and frequency output.
Best Features:
- 7000 Watts of output wattage
- 6000 Watts of running wattage
- Fuel tank capacity of over 6.6 Gallons
- Powerful 420cc engine
Pros:
- Longer runtime of over 13hrs
- Electric ignition system
- 5 power outlets help run more appliances at a time.
Cons:
- Transfer switch of only 30A
- No dual fuel option
3. Champion Power Equipment Open Frame Inverter
Champion Power Equipment is a well-known name in the portable generator for RV air conditioners. Designing efficient generators and working towards low carbon footprints, Champion Power Equipment has a wider range of generators that caters to the RV-ready usage experience.
Champion Power Equipment 100302 4000-Watt RV Ready Open Frame Inverter is an open frame inverter generator made for RVs. This generator has an outage wattage of over 4000 Watts which easily handles the air conditioner’s high wattage needs at the starting. 4000 Watts of running wattage supplies the air conditioner and other appliances running with ample power.
The 224cc 4-stroke OHV engine is powerful yet runs silently. The economy mode makes power consumption more efficient by tracking real-time load. Tot output frequency matches to 60Hz
Best Feature:
- 4000 Watts of output wattage
- 4000 Watts of running wattage
- Eco mode for improved fuel economy
- One 120V 30A outlet, two outlets of 120V 20A, and one 12V Dc outlet
Pros:
- Operational noise is low
- High runtime of over 17 hours
- Lightweight construction
- Extended 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Single fuel option
4. Generac 7127 Portable Inverter Generator
Generac is an older manufacturer of power products. They are pioneers in developing powerful, high-quality yet affordable generators for RVs. With reducing carbon footprint as their motto, Generac provides a good range of generators that follow their motto.
Generac 7127 iQ3500-3500 Watt Portable Inverter Generator follows the technology and design language of Generac products. 3500 Watts of output wattage help the generator handle the power surge created by the air conditioner. With 3500 Watts of running wattage, Generac 7127 IQ3500 supplies constant power to the connected air conditioning system and equipment.
The enclosed design helps reduce operational noise. Two engine speed modes are available to reduce or increase generator power response, fuel consumption, and noise as per requirement. Special USB ports are available for charging smartphones or similar devices.
Best Features:
- 3500 Watts of output/starting wattage
- 3500 Watts of running wattage
- Electric start/stop function
- USB ports to connect small devices
Pros:
- Compact enclosed design
- Quieter operational noise compared to the competitors
Cons:
- Outlets are less in number
5. WEN 56475 4750-Watt Portable Generator
WEN is another high-quality yet affordable generator manufacturer. Thanks to the 70+ years of experience and expertise, WEN keeps developing innovative generators for RV air conditioners.
WEN 56475 4750-Watt Portable Generator makes it to our list for various reasons. The output wattage of 4750 Watts works best to handle those power spikes caused by the air conditioner at the start. Running wattage of 4750 Watts supplies enough power to the air conditioner in the RV to keep it running uninterrupted.
The 223cc engine delivers enough power for the generator to provide the running wattage of 4750 Watts constantly. The engine also comes with low oil level detection which shuts down the engine at low levels. The output frequency matches 60Hz which is standard for RV air conditioners.
Best Features:
- 4750 Watts of running wattage
- 4750 Watts of outage wattage
- Wheel kit for easy transportation of the generator
- Automatic voltage regulation
- Powerful 223cc engine
- Two 120V outlets, one 30A outlet, and one 120V RV outlet
- 4 gallons capacity of the fuel tank
Pros:
- Longer runtime of over 10 hours
- Overload protection keeps the generator safe from overloading
Cons:
- Little noisy operation
6. Honda EU2200i Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
Honda is not a new name in the power generation industry. The Japanese giant is one of the undisputed leaders when it comes to portable generators for RVs. With innovative products, Honda has been delivering products that cater to the customer’s needs.
Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt 120-Volt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator is Honda’s answer as a generator for RV air conditioners. Being a part of Honda’s portable generators, Honda EU2200i packs an output wattage of 2200 Watts. This Is enough for the generator to handle the starting power surges of the air conditioner.
With 2200 Watts of running wattage, the generator provides enough power supply to run an air conditioner. It comes with a safety feature to detect carbon monoxide levels, which cuts off the engine when it reaches hazardous levels. All these features in a compact design make this generator easy to carry.
Best Features:
- 2200 Watts of output wattage
- 2200 Watts of running wattage
- Automatic detection of carbon monoxide levels
- App connectivity which allows remote operation of the generator
Pros:
- Compact design
- Lightweight body
- Safety features that stop the engine after sensing hazardous conditions
Cons:
- Smaller fuel tank
- Underpowered engine
Buying Guide for the Best Generator for RV Air Conditioner
The air conditioning system in an RV becomes a must-feature when camping. Since RVs cannot run all the appliances on the batteries, generators become a necessity. With the help of these generators, heavy appliances in RVs like air conditioners can run smoothly. The right generator will do this job without any hiccups.
Since we have already mentioned the detailed list of the best generators suitable for RV air conditioners, a lot of confusion might have been cleared. To make the selection easier, this buying guide will explain all things that as a customer you should know.
1. Wattage
In a generator, wattage plays an important role. Wattage decides the level of power a generator can supply when connected to appliances. This helps in running the air conditioner in your RV uninterruptedly.
Wattage is measured in Watts. The wattage of the air conditioner is subtracted from the generator’s wattage to check if the generator can supply enough power. For example, an air conditioner of 1000 watts can run easily on the wattage of 2000 Watts of a generator.
2. Output Wattage
Output wattage is similar to the running wattage but with one key difference. The output wattage determines the maximum level of power surge from an air conditioner or any appliances, the generator can handle
Output wattage always needs to be higher. Whenever buying a generator with output wattage in mind, the starting surge of appliances must be calculated. The total of this surging power then helps in buying a generator having higher output wattage. For example, if the total starting surge of an air conditioner and other appliances is 2500 Watts, then a generator with 2500-3000 Watts of output can handle this surge easily.
3. Total Runtime
A generator when coupled with an RV air conditioner or any other appliance tends to consume electricity. The generator generates electricity with the help of an engine that continuously runs on fuel. Fuel consumption plays a vital role in deciding the operational cost of a generator.
Most of the generators, when coupled with an RV air conditioning system, offer a runtime of over 10 hours on average. It means a generator will run nonstop at a rated load before the next refueling session. You wouldn’t want the constant refueling breaks while enjoying the cool breeze of the air conditioner. Hence a generator with good runtime is a deal-breaker.
4. Power outlets
A generator generates electricity which can be utilized from outlets by connecting to them. These outlets come in different settings. Before buying a generator, we must know how many outlets and what type of voltage and power it can offer.
120V 20A is the common household power outlet. The 120V 30A is an RV-rated power outlet and is widely used in RVs. The special 120/240V power outlet serves as a common outlet for high power usage.
Conclusion
A generator becomes handy when heavy appliances like air conditioners etc are used in RVs. A good generator can turn your camping/outing experience into the best one. With certain factors kept in mind, a generator can be shortlisted easily. We have already explained a wide range of generators that are suitable for RV air conditioners.
To make your selection easy, all the options were listed along with their specifications. We have also mentioned a buying guide to help you choose the best generator. With all these factors taken into consideration, we have shortlisted our favorite ones below:
Providing enough power supply to start your air conditioner along with heavy appliances, Westinghouse’s WGen6000 tops the list as the most powerful generator. With an output wattage of over 7500 Watts, you can run your air conditioner and appliances without worrying about the power surge. The running wattage of 6000 Watts helps connect more appliances and keeps supplying them with constant power. A larger 6.6 Gallon fuel tank ensures a runtime of over 13 hrs nonstop.
The next one is indeed a Champion. The Champion Power Equipment 10032 Inverter Generator is a no-nonsense generator. With output wattage and running wattage of 4000 Watts both, the generator can handle the air conditioner’s power needs as well as the starting surges too. Provided with an eco mode, the generator gives about 17 hrs of running time. All these deal-breaker features with low operation noise levels make it a value-for-money generator.
The last one on the list is a surprise package. The Honda EU2200i portable inverter generator might look small as compared to the other options but the generator still becomes a good option for small spaces. With a running wattage of 2200 Watts, the generator supplies enough power to the air conditioner. The size of this generator makes it easier to take anywhere, fulfilling your power needs.
